(Newswire.net — November 22, 2023) — Has your electrical panel fizzled out? While we rarely think of a home’s electrical panel when everything is chugging along correctly, this component of your home’s electrical system is extremely important. The electrical panel distributes energy throughout your home using a series of wires. A malfunctioning electrical panel increases the risks of a power outage, fire, or other serious problem at your home. Here’s a look at five signs your home’s electrical panel needs to be updated.
1. Your Energy Bill Has Surged
Are you trying to figure out why you suddenly have a sky-high electric bill even though your usage hasn’t changed? Weak or faulty wiring in your home’s electrical panel can cause your system to distribute electricity unevenly. When this occurs, more energy is needed to keep electricity flowing. That means you’ll pay more for the same energy usage.
2. You’ve Noticed a Burning Smell
This is one sign that you need a new electrical panel that should never be ignored! If you’re noticing a burning odor coming from your panel, this is a sign of overheating. It’s important to call a professional electrician immediately to get advice on how to prevent a fire hazard.
3. You Live in an Older Home
You don’t always need an obvious sign to know that it might be time to get a new electrical panel. Electrical panels aren’t designed to last forever. Most will last between 20 and 40 years before problems arise. If you live in an older home, it’s a good idea to have an electrician take a look at your current panel to see if a replacement would benefit your home.
4. Your Breaker is Constantly Tripping
Are you frequently heading to the basement or utility room to reset the breakers on your electrical panel? This could be a sign that your panel needs to be replaced. In addition to being inconvenient for you, tripping breaks indicate that your home’s electrical load has surpassed your current electrical panel’s capabilities. If you don’t upgrade, you may damage circuit boards and other core components that help to power your home.
5. The Lights in Your Home Keep Dimming
Are you constantly having the eerie experience of watching your home’s lights suddenly dim? This happens most often when people turn on microwaves, washing machines, fans, air conditioners, and other home appliances that use lots of energy. While some people assume that this is normal, it’s actually a sign that something is going wrong with your electrical panel. When you have a healthy electrical panel, your lights and electronic devices should only have lulls when there is a power outage. Allowing different appliances in your home to “fight” over power is actually dangerous. The better solution is to determine why your lights are dimming. In some cases, your panel simply has loose connections that need to be tightened. In other cases, there may be something wrong with your electrical panel.
Listen to the small signs your electrical panel is giving off before the problem gets out of hand. If you’re noticing any of the five signs that your electrical panel needs an upgrade that was shared above, it may only be a matter of time before there’s a major electrical disaster at your home. Get your electrical panel fixed by a licensed electrician so that your home’s electrical system can function properly.